Three large fires that started on Thursday have destroyed some 15,000 hectares in southern Corsica, including some of the area's most spectacular forests.

More than 400 firefighters, supported by helicopters, battled yesterday in an effort to finally put out the blazes that threatened the town of Aullène as temperatures and winds drop across the Mediterranean.

According to police, the fire at Aullène may have started because of a spark during work on an electricity line that ignited a blaze that quickly grew out of control.

But police suspect arsonists in several fires that started in the same area in quick succession. Under French law, those found guilty of arson can be sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

In eastern Spain, firefighters have been battling fires that have consumed forests around the ancient town of Aliaga, in Aragon, 112 miles north of the Mediterranean port of Valencia.

The hilltop resort town of Mojácar woke up on Saturday surrounded by the charred remains of what had been picturesque pine forests and almond groves. Regional fire services were on standby in case of sudden flare-ups as the fires subsided yesterday.

The village of Soneja just north of Valencia had a lucky escape when fire consumed its cemetery but did not spread any further.

Six firefighters have been killed by forest fires in Spain during the week and at least 15,441 hectares of forest and farmland have been affected by flames, according to local officials.

Thousands of people, both firefighters and volunteers, and more than 30 aircraft were deployed to combat the flames.

British holidaymakers planning to visit the region have been advised by the Foreign Office to check its website before travel.

Meanwhile, Italian police said they were investigating brush fires on the outskirts of Palermo, Sicily, and in the tourist town of Monreale to see if arson was involved.

On Italy's other major island, Sardinia, which has been particularly badly hit, authorities said it appeared fires were under control but expressed fear that shifting winds could bring back the blazes of recent days.

A shepherd was killed earlier in the week during the fires that destroyed between 15,000 and 25,000 hectares. The financial damage has been put at €80m (£69m).

More than 100 firefighters and 200 volunteers have been fighting forest fires in Turkey where temperatures reached 48C at the weekend.

A fire that started on Thursday evening in a landfill site in Bodrum, a holiday resort in southern Turkey, destroyed more than 15 hectares of land before the emergency services managed to bring it under control.

Fires in the Mediterranean bring destruction to hundreds of thousands of hectares of land every year.